First firearm for hunting

[loliveros]

Hi all,

I just passed my CFSC and am working on my OHEP. I have never hunted before, and have very limited experience with firearms. I wanted to know what sort of firearm you would recommend to start out. I was thinking I would start by hunting quail and other smaller animals.

Any direction you could provide would be appreciated.

Thank you.

[Ata83]

Shotgun or a rimfire, but you will be using the shotgun ALOT more.

And I recommend going with a Semi Auto shotgun. I got a pump action benelli super nova. but for wing shooting I wish I went with a semi now.

rimfires are just fun, and cost of bullet is almost nothing.

[trimmer21]

Congratulations on passing the CFSC course and welcome aboard the website and forum. You sure came to the right place. If you intend to start out on small game (as you should) I suggest you look for a good 20 ga. shotgun and/or a good .22 rimfire when your PAL comes in. There'll be a while before that happens,so,you have lots of time for careful consideration and shopping. Good luck and keep in touch.

[finsfurfeathers]

Can't go wrong with a semi 12 gauge with interchangeable chokes. I'd even try to find something second hand till you figure out what you're into.

[mosquito]

Take a look at what you want to hunt, a 12 gauge pump that can take 3 1/2" for geese, maybe with a changeable barrel for deer. Make sure it has changeable chokes! Pheasant, rabbit and ducks maybe an over under or side by side, I like the dual triggers like on the CZ Mallard or the Stoeger Uplander. Make sure it has changeable chokes! I would avoid the semi's right now since in the 2021 election one of the CBC questions was "should all semi's be banned" (paraphrased) and according to CBC the NDP/Libs/Green and NDP were all for it to some degree and they are in power now so who knows what will happen.

For deer, bear or moose, I would say a 308 will give you the flexibility and power in a bolt (lots of choices, Browning, Remington, Winchester...) or lever (Henry or Savage 99) but make sure you get comfortable by going to the range before season. There are reduced load shells available and a wide range of loads so try a few and see what works in your firearm and for you. There are other used rifles in a variety of ammo like 30-06, 8mm, 6.5x55, 30-30 etc. with varying degrees of ammo availability and cost and shoulder bruising :-)

If you are in Southern Ontario there is the calibre restrictions so a 270 is an alternative in that area of the province. I like the 6.5x55 and there are used 6.5x55s out there for deer that you can get for less than $500 but the ammo is a bit harder to come by and bear and moose are doable but I would say stick with the 308 for them unless you are a crack shot and confident, it has flexibility and the power needed.

A rimfire doesn't have as many uses but is good for practice and more economical than a box of 308.


A 270 and some 6.5x55 here
https://www.tradeexcanada.com/produits/95?page=7
https://frontierfirearms.ca/search.p...h_query=6.5x55

and Canadian Gunnutz and on MEWE there are many used firearms available (buyer beware of course)

[Fox]

Pump 12ga, cheaper than semis and lots of really good used ones out there. If you find a remington 870 or a mossberg 500 the aftermarket will have parts for you until the world ends.

You can legally hunt everything in Ontario with a 12ga shotgun and not feel over gunned. You can also get lighter loads for upland game so that you do not put too many pellets on target. A 22LR is a necessity but I rarely hunt with one now, just plink with mine.

[loliveros]

Wow, thank you all for your advice. I was expecting just a few ideas, and you have given me a lot to work off of. Another thing to be grateful for this season is your sage advice!

I was warned about the general feeling amongst gun owners that the semi is being taken behind the shed and shot... pun intended .

I also wanted to add a little context to me question. I will be doing this on a tight budget, so really I have funds for one firearm. It seems quite a few of you have mentioned a shotgun, so I am leaning that way. Interchangeable chokes is a new concept to me. I will look up some option for that now.

So, after reading over the comments again, I think I am looking for a 12g pump action shotgun with interchangeable chokes. Does that sound like the right starting gun for someone who intends to cover as much ground as possible on a budget?

If so, please let me know if you know of any options that fit the bill.

Thank you!

[Terrible_E]

Don't bother worrying about what the government is going to do. Our gun laws get yo-yoed at least once a decade. Technically right now most 12g shotguns are banned under the 20mm bore rule, but no one is actually going to charge you for that. Get a semi if you want a semi and enjoy your life. Sounds like a 12g with interchangeable chokes is your best answer.

Turkish shotguns have a lot going for them now a days. Excellent reviews in recent years and the clones they are making are friendly on the budget. Mossberg makes a good "field and stream" combo that gives you a 28" barrel for fowl and a shorter slug barrel for deer. Don't be afraid to buy second hand.

[Sprite]

Wow, thank you all for your advice. I was expecting just a few ideas, and you have given me a lot to work off of. Another thing to be grateful for this season is your sage advice!

I was warned about the general feeling amongst gun owners that the semi is being taken behind the shed and shot... pun intended .

I also wanted to add a little context to me question. I will be doing this on a tight budget, so really I have funds for one firearm. It seems quite a few of you have mentioned a shotgun, so I am leaning that way. Interchangeable chokes is a new concept to me. I will look up some option for that now.

So, after reading over the comments again, I think I am looking for a 12g pump action shotgun with interchangeable chokes. Does that sound like the right starting gun for someone who intends to cover as much ground as possible on a budget?

If so, please let me know if you know of any options that fit the bill.

Thank you!

I'd say you're on the right track. In terms of recommendations of models, have a look at the following:

Remington 870
Benelli Nova
Winchester SXP

-N.

[Deer Hunter]

Don't bother worrying about what the government is going to do. Our gun laws get yo-yoed at least once a decade. Technically right now most 12g shotguns are banned under the 20mm bore rule, but no one is actually going to charge you for that. Get a semi if you want a semi and enjoy your life. Sounds like a 12g with interchangeable chokes is your best answer.

Turkish shotguns have a lot going for them now a days. Excellent reviews in recent years and the clones they are making are friendly on the budget. Mossberg makes a good "field and stream" combo that gives you a 28" barrel for fowl and a shorter slug barrel for deer. Don't be afraid to buy second hand.

X2. Congrats on passing your course. Welcome to the forum.